Research

The microkernels developed by the Operating Systems Group of TU Dresden
are used to construct flexible systems. They are used as base for
our TUD:OS and DROPS projects and are suitable for big and complex
systems, but also for small, embedded applications.

L4/Fiasco is a second-generation µ-kernel (microkernel)
running on several hardware platforms. Originally its intention was to be compatible
with the L4 ABI as defined in the L4/x86 Reference Manual, however over the years
the ABI was extended to support realtime and to ease paravirtualization of operating
system (L4Linux).

Fiasco.OC is a third generation microkernel evolutionary developed out of L4/Fiasco.
In contrast to second generation microkernels the authorization model is
capability-based, hardware aided virtualization support and multi-core support were
added. Fiasco.OC runs on PCs and embedded platforms like mobile phones.

NOVA is a third generation microkernel and hypervisor (microhypervisor). In contrast
to Fiasco.OC NOVA is developed completely from scratch with the goal to form a
small and efficient hardware aided virtualization hypervisor. NOVA runs on multi-core
PCs.